Abstract
Despite the fact that information on the magnification of a histopathology image has no value or purpose, most journals continue to require it. A few incredibly smart pathology journals have eliminated the requirement for this worthless speck of information. Sure, one could argue that it serves some obscure purpose, most importantly for indicating the sizes of organelles and infectious agents in electron micrographs. But who really uses it this way? The figures given are often not calculated properly and are therefore wrong. Some journals have the guts to note that the original magnification was x, whereupon they do not tell you what the printed magnification is. So why bother?
It seems to me that in the age of gene chips and the human genome, we would let go of this ancient custom. Let's get modern, folks!
Note: The editor invites your comments on this interesting and provocative proposal. Please address your responses to